Satellite Communications History
Satellite Communications Systems-Increased Popularity
Thursday, December 20th, 2007Satellite communications systems are becoming more popular as the increased demand for worldwide communications increases. Users want to be a phone call away from any corner of the planet and satellite communications systems allow this to happen. The old physical connections for traditional POTS lines and data connections are no longer meeting this rapid requirement for worldwide communications and is limited in regards to mobility and flexibility.
Satellite communications systems are almost a requirement for today’s and tomorrow’s technology and communication requirements. Hard line cables both fiber and twisted pair cannot be laid in all parts of the world and this is mostly due to the cost benefit analysis and in some cases the unstable nature of particular geographic locations.
The satellite communications systems include the Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites. LEO satellites are preferred to geo stationary satellites because the geo stationary satellite communications systems introduce delay into the transmission and varies based on the distance at which the satellite orbits and to the ground stations. LEO satellite communications systems have become the “go to” satellite communications system of choice and are used with satellite phone systems.
The LEO satellite communications systems works as a network, using multiple LEO satellite called a constellation. They operate in a constellation because of their close proximity to the surface of the earth which can take them out of the earth stations line of site for certain periods in time. So when one satellite moves from the earth stations line of sight another LEO satellite will take its place.
No matter their use, whether commercial, government, military or private individual use, satellite communications systems will lead the charge in the future of the telecommunications and information technology industries.
A Historical Look At Satellite Television
Friday, November 30th, 2007Satellite television is TV broadcasted and delivered via a communications satellite device in geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth. This contrasts with conventional terrestrial television and cable television, providing a broader range of channels and services comprised of subscription-only services and a basic package of channels. The satellite maintains a specific position in space. Signals are beamed up to the satellite from an Earth station, then relayed back down again to be received by a dish. Satellites can deliver both analogue and digital services.
The first satellite television signal was transmitted from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America in 1962. The first geosynchronous communication satellite, Syncom 2 was launched in 1963. A device called Early Bird, the world’s first commercial communication satellite, was launched into synchronous orbit on April 6, 1965. In 1967 the Soviet Union created ORBITA, the first national network of satellite television. This device was employed on the principle of using the highly elliptical Molniya satellite for re-broadcasting and delivering of TV signal to ground downlink stations. Canada created geostationary Anik 1, the first domestic North American satellite to carry television in 1972. Launched in 1974, the world saw the first experimental educational and Direct Broadcast Satellite ATS-6 come into being. In 1976, Ekran, the first Soviet geostationary satellite to carry Direct-To-Home television was successfully launched.
Satellite Communications History – The First Communications Satellite
Monday, October 29th, 2007Some say that after the Soviet’s launch of Sputnik I, the benefits, profits, and prestige of satellite communications was what drove the United States into the space race with their rivals. Satellite communications history was made when the first real organized entity was formed to handle space exploration. July of 1958 the U.S. Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act that formed NASA.
Although NASA was formed as a scientific and “peaceful” research organization the U.S. Congress ensured that we did not lose our strategic advantage in the arms race with the Soviet Union. They gave the Department of Defense responsibility for developing and launching active communications satellites that would provide amplified satellite communications signals for high quality communications world wide.
Satellite Communications History – Sputnik Launches
Monday, October 22nd, 2007October 4th 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I and satellite communications history was made. Sputnik I was approximately 183 pounds and the size of a basketball. The orbit for Sputnik I took approximately 98 minutes to orbit the Earth in an elliptical track and continued to orbit the Earth for three more months after launch.
Everything changed from that point on. The launch of Sputnik I brought about a set of new technological and scientific developments never before seen in satellite communications history. Regrettably with those developments a new set of political and military problems came about as well. The U.S. public feared with the launch of Sputnik, the Soviet’s would have the capability of launching attacks from space.
Satellite Communications History Before Sputnik
Monday, October 15th, 2007Some believe that the history of modern satellite communications started with Sputnik. This is not really true. The thoughts of an extra-terrestrial relay of communications had been in the thoughts of mankind for an almost incalculable amount of time. In fact I am sure Galileo Galilei had dreams of space travel and may have even thought of the use of “space based relays”. More recently however; we had Arthur C. Clark. Clark wrote what is considered the first well-known and circulated writing on communication satellites. His article titled “Extra-Terrestrial Relays” was published in Wireless World in 1945. The article discussed the possible coverage of the earth using three satellites in a 24-hour geosynchronous orbit to transmit television programs. His fellow man and scientists did not take Clark, like Galileo seriously until about 1957 with the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union. Clark repeated his thoughts in the 1951 and 52 issue of “Exploration of Space”.